The Wellington Phoenix men will not be in the A-League playoffs despite winning their penultimate game of the season 2-1 against Western Sydney Wanderers in Christchurch on Saturday.
Ifeanyi Eze and Kazuki Nagasawa scored goals in each half, both from Tim Payne crosses.
They needed to win the game to keep alive their hopes of making the top six, and while they achieved that, Melbourne City’s 3-2 win over Brisbane later on Saturday eliminated the Phoenix, as they now sit four points off the pace with just one game remaining.
The Phoenix will return to Wellington for their last game of the season, against Macarthur FC, on Friday night.
Melbourne City’s comeback win over Brisbane secured their finals berth after a sensational late charge up the A-League Men ladder.
A month ago, City were languishing towards the bottom.
Five wins from six games and victories in their last four rocketed them into the playoffs, where opposition teams will be more than wary of the Aurelio Vidmar-coached side.
City’s win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night also ended the finals hopes of Macarthur FC and Central Coast.
A 44th-minute goal from Roar striker Justin Vidic threatened to throw the finals race wide open.
City winger Marcus Younis, rightly touted as a World Cup bolter, equalised in the 61st minute with a penalty he slotted home after a stutter-step.
He added another five minutes later and Medin Memeti a third in the 80th minute to sink the second-last placed Roar, despite a late stunner by Brisbane’s Youstin Salas.
Sydney FC and Perth Glory battled to a 0-0 draw.
Yesterday, Auckland FC fell 1-0 to the Central Coast Mariners at home.
It spelt an end to Auckland’s chance of winning the Premier’s Plate and catching the Jets who top the A-League table, but they could still finish second in the regular season. — RNZ/Allied Media
